‘You had to one up me with 50+ saves didn’t you’: Markstrom congratulates Demko after 51-save performance

Some friendships never die.

Calgary Flames goaltender @Jacob Markstrom took to Instagram earlier this week to congratulate former teammate @Thatcher Demko for his 51-save performance in the Vancouver Canucks’ 3–2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night.

“You had to one up me with 50+ saves didn’t you,” commented Markstrom on Demko’s Instagram post celebrating the win.

Markstrom set the franchise-record for most saves in a shutout with 49 against the Blackhawks back in February of 2020 — and was subsequently “one-upped” by Demko’s 51 saves.

Demko replied shortly thereafter: “learn from the best my friend.”

Markstrom and Demko played parts of three seasons (2017–18, 2018–19, and 2019–20) as teammates in Vancouver, splitting the crease during the Canucks’ run to the second round of the 2020 playoffs.

After playing with the Canucks from 2014 to 2020, Markstrom signed a six-year deal with the Flames as an unrestricted free agent. He has a 20–10–5 record and a .926 save percentage in 36 games with Calgary this season; Demko is 19–15–2 with a .921 in 2021–22.